Wake-up call for World Cup ambitions in the USA
3 minutes reading time
As the dust has settled on the 2024 Copa America, which will be hosted in the United States, significant deficiencies have emerged that raise serious doubts about the country’s suitability to host the 2026 World Cup. While the event featured exciting football, the underlying issues point to systemic failures that could jeopardise the upcoming global spectacle.
Analyzing the news and social media conversations surrounding the competition, the majority of reactions were negative, overshadowing the positive news, such as Argentina’s victory at the Copa América and Canada’s impressive fourth-place finish in their first participation.
Of the 50 most shared articles on social media, 68% were about chaos and security issues at the venues that damaged the reputation of the event. Safety concerns from fans and players, as well as logistical errors, also highlighted the tournament’s organizational deficiencies.
Similarly, when examining the 100 most shared tweets about the Copa America, 65% of the conversations revolved around security and organisational failures. Despite Argentina’s victory and the possibility that this could have been Lionel Messi’s last international tournament, such monumental moments in football were overshadowed by problems that could have been avoided. The chaos at Hard Rock Stadium, security lapses during the final and the incident between Uruguayan players and Colombian fans during the semi-final dominated social channels.
How the 2026 World Cup can trump the Copa America
The following areas have been discussed repeatedly in the media and social networks as areas that need improvement and need to be addressed before the World Cup:
- The logistical nightmare for fans and teams. Traffic congestion, unreliable public transport and poorly managed logistics became the rule rather than the exception. Cities such as Miami, New York and New Jersey – all considered major hubs for the World Cup – struggled to cope with the influx of visitors. Without a major overhaul of the transport network and extensive preparation, the World Cup could become a chaotic experience for all involved and give the host countries a bad name.
- Another glaring deficiency was the preparation of the stadiums, or rather the lack thereof. Despite the world-class sports facilities, many venues were not prepared for the unique demands of an international soccer tournament. Problems such as inadequate seating, poor pitch conditions and sub-par amenities were widespread. For example, the turf in several stadiums did not meet the standards expected for top-level international competitions, leading to player injuries and affecting the quality of play. US Soccer must urgently address these deficiencies to avoid a repeat in 2026.
- The final of the 2024 Copa America was a symbol of these and other failures. Thousands of fans endured a chaotic, dangerous and frustrating experience trying to enter the stadium. The game was delayed and fans had to climb walls and air conditioning units to get into the stadium. The images and videos told the story and sent a message to audiences around the world that the United States was neither prepared nor ready to host a major soccer tournament. This is unacceptable.
The failures at the 2024 Copa America must serve as a learning experience for FIFA Host Cities, their respective Host Committees and all stakeholders involved in the World Cup. The clock is ticking. The potential to host such an extraordinary event is undoubtedly there, but these critical issues must be addressed with urgency and precision. The US must invest in infrastructure, improve logistical planning, get stadiums operational, improve ticketing processes/access and strengthen security measures.
The eyes of the world will be on the USA in 2026. It is imperative that we rise to the occasion and deliver a tournament that not only meets but exceeds global expectations. We have done it before, in 1994, and we can do it again, but now is the time to act and the lessons from the 2024 Copa America should be the blueprint for success. The stakes are high and the USA must deliver; the world is watching.
Sarah Hamilton and Shafian Rahman are partner and senior associate, respectively, at Avoq, a national communications firm. The data for this commentary covers the period June 20 to July 20.
